Cover controlled safety switch mechanism for power operated typewriters or like machines



P 1951 H. J. HART ETAL.

. COVER CONTROLLED SAFETY SWITCH MECHANISM FOR POWER OPERATED TYPEWRITERS OR LIKE MACHINES Filed Sept. 15, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS HENRYJIHART ATTOR EYS Sept. 18, 1951 H. J. HART ET! AL 2,568,002 COVER CONTROLLED SAFETY SWITCH MECHANISM FOR POWER OPERA TED TYPEWRITERS OR LIKE MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS HENRYJI HART BY wlLL/AM fl. HUPPER 74; ATTORNEYS Filed Sept. 13, 1949 Patented Sept. 18, 1951 COVER CONTROLLED SAFETY SWITCH MECHANISM FOR POWER OPERATED TYPEWR-ITERS OR LIKE MACHINES Henry J. Hart and William H. Kupper, West Hartford, Conn., assignors to Royal Typewriter C0mpany,'Inc.,"NewYork, N. Y., a corporation of New York Applicationseptemher 13,1949, Serial No. 115,543

'9 Claims.

1 This invention relates :to cover controlled safety switch mechanism for power operated typewriters or like machines. Machines iof this general class include power operable-mechanism comprising numerous parts which are operated rapidly and with considerable force. If, there fore, a foreign object such ,as a pencil,-eraser or other office equipmentarticle should accidentally be dropped into the machine when the latter is operating or is conditioned to operate, the mechanism could be damaged .seriously. .Moreover, if an operators finger should be extended inadvertently into the mechanism, for "example when changing a ribbon, and th'e'machine should be operated unintentionally, injury could occur.

Accordingl it isusual "to providesuch machines with covers .or masks serving to prevent such accidents and injuries, and'to protect the working parts from dust.

.An object of the presentinventionis to-provide, in a machine of the kind referred to,nove'l and improved means for so articulatingor co-relating a movable cover with a switch controlling .the driving motor as to prevent operation of the motor when the cover is opened and the mechanism is not fully or substantially enclosed ,or

.masked.

Another object of the invention is to provide articulating or co-relating meansof the character stated including a manuallybper-able.device operable in a single movement for both moving the cover from open to closedpositionand for closing the controllingswitch :tostart the driv- ,panying :drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevationsan'd partly insection, fore and aft 'of aztypewriterembodying the invention,.showingonly some of the conventional or:standard typewriter parts in order to illustrate the applicationof mechanism embody-v ing the invention to a typewriter construction;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing a partof a front frame-mask=panel and a switch operating handle and indicator or signal mechanism, z'the parts being shown as viewed when looking in the direction of the arrow 2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing some of the parts illustrated in Figure 1 in different positions;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 4-4 ofFigure 2;

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of an indicator or semaphore signal or flag; and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing a modification.

The invention may be embodied in typewriters or like machines of various kinds. For the purposes of illustration it is shown as being applied to a power operated oifice-type typewriter having, except for switch operating and signaling mechanism to be described, many features in common with the well-known Royal Standard typewriter, and power operating mechanism of the kind disclosed in the copending application of William H. Kupper, Serial No. 6,066, filed February 3, 1948.

The known construction illustrated includes a walled or masked main frame A on which a carriage B equipped witha platen C is mounted for letter-spacing and return movements by means of a top rail I on the carriage adapted to roll upon balls 2 which, in turn, are adapted to roll on a frame-mounted bottom rail or track 3. A type-bar segment 4, adapted to be moved to upper and lower case positions by a shifting link 5, serves to mount a set of type bars, one of which is shown at 5 as .being pivoted at '3 on the segment 4.

Mechanism for operating the various machine instrumentalities including .the type bar 5 may for operating the motor is derived from power line connections [0 controlled by a snap switch -H. Key controlled mechanism (not shown) is provided for transmitting power impulses from the snatch roll 8 to a lever, a part of which is indicated at l2 in Figure l, and thence through a link [3 to the type bar '6. SH ar connections *may be provided for operating the other type barsand instrumentalities of the machine.

In order to protect the operating parts from dust, and to prevent foreign articles or the operators fingers from coming in contact with operating parts, a top cover 54 is mounted on hinge pivots l5, and is urged to its opened position indicated in dotted lines Figure 1 by a wrap spring 13. The front edge of the cover is formed with a flange l! adapted, when the cover is closed, to rest on a ledge l8 formed along the upper edge portion of a front mask panel 19 of a frame-mounted mask enclosing the mechanisms carried by the frame. The cover 14 is provided with a keeper 29 adapted to have snap-action engagement with a spring 2! carried by the front mask panel 19, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Preferably, two such keepers 29 and springs 21 are provided, although only one of each is shown in the accompanying drawings.

In accordance with the invention, improved and conveniently operable mechanism is provided for operating the switch i I, and this mechanism is so co -related to the cover M as to assure that the switch I! always will be constrained to be in off position when the cover is open, although the switch may be moved freely to off or on positions when the cover is in closed position. In the form shown, the switch M has a snapaction lever or arm 22, the ball-shaped free end of which is received between spaced upper and lower ears 23 on the rear end of a lever 24 pivoted at 25 on the frame A. The front end of the lever 24 is pivoted at 26 to the lower end of link 21, the upper end of which is pivoted at 28 to one arm 29 of a three-armed lever 29 pivoted at 30 on the frame A. Another arm 29* of the lever 29 extends forwardly through a slot iii in the mask panel [9, and is provided exteriorly of the panel 19 with a finger piece or button 32 which is shaped, as shown in Figure 2, with a narrow right-hand edge 33 adapted to point to or register selectively with markings off and on on the mask panel l9.

When the lever 29 is in the position shown in full lines in Figure l, the pointer edge 33 of the button 32 will register with the on designation shown in Figure 2. The lever 29, link 2'1, lever 24 and switch arm 22 will then all be in the positions shown in full lines in Figure 1, so that the switch I I will be closed, i. e., on and the motor 9 will operate to drive the snatch roll 8. In order to stop the motor, the button 32 is raised to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 and in full lines in Figure 3, thus rocking the lever 29 clockwise, and moving the link 2'5, lever24, and switch arm 22 to the positions shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, thereby opening the switch and stopping the motor 9.

As previously stated, the mechanism for oper-- ating the switch II is so coordinated with the cover 14 as to assure that the switch M will be closed when the cover M is opened. To this end a third arm 29 of the three-armed lever 29 is equipped with a spring leaf 34 secured to the lever arm 29 as at 35 and having a pivot pin 39 which is received in an elongated slot 3'! in a link 38 pivotally connected at 39 to an ear 4!! on the inside of the cover I4.

The pin 36 and slot 3'! provide a lost motion connection, so that when the cover 14 is closed, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the lever 29 can be operated to its on and off positions without interference bygthe link 38. Thus when the cover I4 is closed, the connections between the switch H, the lever 29 and the cover will not interfere with the opening and closing of the switch. However, if the switch should be on, with the lever 29 correspondingly in the position shown in full lines in Figure 1, and the cover [4 should then be raised to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1, the link 38 will be moved rearwardly, causing the front end of the link slot 31 to pull the pin 36 rearwardly, thereby rocking the lever 29 to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, the link 21 and lever 24 then being so disposed that the switch arm 22 will be in the off position. Thus, if an operator should raise the cover 14, for example to gain access to the ribbon spools, opening of the switch H and stopping of the motor 9 will be assured.

After the parts have been moved to the positions shown in dotted lines in Figure l with the switch 0 the machine may be reconditioned for operation simply by pressing the button 32 downwardly to its on position, causing the switch arm 22 to be moved to close the switch, and simultaneously causing the arm 29 of the lever 29 to pull the link 38 forwardly and swing the cover I4 downwardly. If, however, it should be desired to close the cover (4 without starting the motor 9, the cover may be moved manually from its open to its closed position without causing any movement of the lever 29 and the connected parts.

The spring leaf 34 may be sprung outwardly from the lever arm 29 so as to withdraw the pin 36 from the slot 31 of the link 38 if it is necessary, in servicing the machine, to remove the cover I4 from the frame A.

The selective registration of the button 32 with the off and on designations shown in Figure 2 enables the operator easily to determine when the motor circuit is open or closed. Alternative ly, or to emphasize or make available a clearer indication of the condition of the parts, the front panel 19 is formed with a window 4] behind which a semaphore or signal 42 is pivoted on the panel l9 as at 43. The signal 42 includes a flag part 44, the upper half 44 of which may be of a distinct relatively inconspicuous color, such as gray, and the lower half 44 of which may be distinctly colored more conspicuously, for example with red substance which preferably is luminous or highly light reflective. The semaphore 42 also has a forked end 45 which receives the arm 29 of the three-armed lever 29. When the lever is in the on position shown in full lines in Figure 1, the conspicuous part 44 of the semaphore 42 will be disposed immediately behind the window 4!. When, however, the button 32 is in the off position, the less conspicuous part 44 of the flag will be disposed behind the window 4|. Thus a quick glance at the indicator adjacent the operating button 33 will give a very clear indication of whether the motor is conditioned to run or not.

In the modification shown in Figure 6 a semaphore 46 is similar to the semaphore 42 shown in Figure 5, differing therefrom only in that the flag part 48 shown in Figure 6 is marked conspicuously with the words ofi and on in lieu of being surfaced with different colors. The semaphore 46 may be pivoted as at 41 and is formed with a forked end 49 adapted to embrace the lever arm 29.

The construction shown embodies the invention in a preferred form, but it is intended that the disclosure be illustrative rather than definitive, the invention being defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a frame; mechanism mounted on said frame; a cover mounted on said frame for movement to open and closed positions; an electric accaooa motor mounted onsaid frame for operatingsaid mechanism; a switch for controlling said motor; means for operating said switch including a manually operable member mounted on said frame for movements corresponding to "on and off positions of said switch; and a connection between said manually operable member and said cover operable, when said switch is in on position and said cover is raised, for operating said member and switch automatically to off positions.

2. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a frame; mechanism mounted on said frame; a mask supported on said frame and substantially enclosing said mechanism and including a cover mounted on said frame for movement to open and closed positions; an electric motor mounted on said frame for operating said mechanism; a'switch for controlling said motor; means for operating said switch including a manually operable member mounted on said frame interiorly of said mask for movements corresponding to on and o positions of said switch and having a part projecting through said mask so as to be accessible for manual operation; and a connection between said manually operable member and said cover operable, when said switch is in "on position and said cover is raised, for operating said member and switch automatically to off positions.

3. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a frame; mechanism mounted on said frame; a cover mounted on said frame for movement to open and closed positions; an electric motor mounted on said frame for operating said mechanism; a switch for controlling said motor; means for operating said switch including a manually operable member mounted on said frame for movements corresponding to "on and off positions of said switch; and a lost motion connection between said manually operable member and said cover operable, when said switch is in "on position and said cover is raised, for operating said member and switch automatically to off positions, said lost motion connection permitting free movement of said manually operable member to off and on positions when said cover is closed.

4. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a frame; mechanism mounted on said frame; a cover member mounted on said frame for movement to open and closed position; an electric motor mounted on said frame for operating said mechanism; a switch for controlling said motor; means for operating said switch including a manually operable member mounted on said frame for movements corresponding to on and off positions of said switch; and mechanism including a link, a pivotal connection between one end of said link and one of said members, and a pin and slot lost motion connection between the other end of said link and the other of said members, said mechanism permitting free movement of said manually operable member to off and on positions when said cover member is closed and constraining said manually operable member to be in off position when said cover member is opened.

5. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a frame; mechanism mounted on said frame; a cover mounted on said frame for movement to open and closed positions; an electric motor mounted on said frame for operating said mechanism; a switch for controlling said motor; a three-armed lever pivoted on said frame and Y 6 having a first arm extending to a position to be accessible for manual operation; means operatively connecting a second arm of said lever in said switch; a link pivotally connected to said cover; and a pin and slot lost motion connectiombetween said link and the third arm of said. lever; said lost motion connection permitting free movement of said lever to positions corresponding to on" andoff positions of said switch when said cover is closed but constraining said lever to a position corresponding to the "of!" position of said switch when said cover is opened.

6. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a frame; mechanism mounted on said frame; .a-mask supported on said frame and substantially enclosing said mechanism and including a top cover; a hinge connection between the rear part of said top cover and said frame; a motor mounted on said frame for operating said mechanism; a-switch for controlling said motor; a three-armed lever pivoted on said frame adjacent the front thereof and having a manually operable first arm extending through the front of said mask; mean operatively connecting a second arm ofsaid'lever to said switch; a link .pivotally connected to saidcover adjacent said hinge connection; and a pin and slot lost motion connection between said link and the third arm of said lever, said lost motion connection permitting free movement of said lever to positions corresponding to on and "oif positions of said switch when said cover is closed but constraining said lever to a position corresponding to the "01? position of said switch when said cover is opened.

7. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a frame; mechanism mounted on said frame; a mechanism mask supported on said frame and including a front panel formed with a window and a cover mounted on said frame for movement to open and closed positions; an electric motor mounted on said frame for operating said mechanism; a switch for controlling said motor; means for operating said Switch including a manually operable member mounted on said frame for movements corresponding to on and off positions of said switch; a connection between said manually operable member and said cover operable, when said switch is in on position and said cover is raised, for operatin said member and switch automatically to "off positions; a flag with distinct surface portions; means mounting said flag inside said front mask panel for movement to position either of said surface portions behind said window; and means connecting said flag to said manually operable member for positioning the flag selectively with an appropriate one of said surface portions behind said window according to the "on" or "off positions of said member and said switch.

8. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a frame; mechanism mounted on said frame; a mechanism mask supported on said frame and including a front panel formed with a window and a cover mounted on said frame for movement to open and closed positions; an electric motor mounted on said frame for operating said mechanism; a switch for controlling said motor; means for operating said switch including a manually operable member mounted on said frame for movements correspondin to on and 0115 positions of said switch; a connection between said manually operable member on position and said cover is raised, for operating said member and switch automatically to' off positions; a, semaphore signal device having a flag at one of its ends; and means mounting said device on said frame inside said front mask panel to rock about a pivot intermediate the ends of said device, said flag having distinct surface ortions, and the other of the end of said device being forked and engaging said manually operable member so as to be operable thereby to position the flag selectively with an appropriate one of said surface portions behind said window according to the on or off positions of said member and said switch.

9. In a power operated typewriter or like machine, a frame; mechanism mounted on said frame; a mechanism mask supported on said frame and including a front panel formed with a window and a cover mounted on said frame for movement to open and closed positions; an electric motor mounted on said frame for operating said mechanism; a switch for controlling said motor; means for operating said switch including a manually operable member mounted on 25 said frame for movements corresponding'to on and off positions of said switch; a connection between said manually operable member and said cover operable, when said switch is in on position and said cover is raised, for operating said member and switch automatically to ofi positions; a flag with distinct surface portions, one of which only is luminescent; means mounting said flag inside said front mask panel for movement to position either of said surface portions behind said window; and means connectin said flag to said manually operable member for moving said flag to position the luminescent portion thereof behind said window when said member and switch are moved to on positions, and for moving said flag to position the other portion thereof behind said window when said member and said switch are moved to off positions.

HENRY J. HART.

WILLIAM H. KUPPER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: l

UNITED STATES PATENT 2,452,403 Stukart Oct. 26, 1948 

